Wed Oct 10 14:59:00 EAT 2018

Gatanga MP wants Northern Water Collector Tunnel projected halted

Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi who wants the Northern Water Collector Tunnel project halted over what he says is an imminent breach of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s promise that it would supply his constituency with piped water. PHOTO | NDUNG'U GACHANE

By NDUNG’U GACHANE

In Summary

He said there is a clear indication that Gatanga people will not get the water as promised by the head of State.

He said that the same promise was made to his constituents during the construction of Ndakaini Dam but was never fulfilled.

The controversial Sh6.8 billion tunnel is set to collect flood waters from rivers Irati, Mathioya and Gikigie.

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Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi has renewed his calls to have the Northern Water Collector Tunnel project halted over what he says is an imminent breach of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s promise that it will not start before residents of his constituency get piped water.

The MP said even after raising the matter at the beginning of this year and having been promised that the agreement was still on, contractors have almost finished laying the pipes taking water to Nairobi, a clear indication that Gatanga people will not get the water as promised by the head of State.

“The agreement and the design of Northern Water Collector Tunnel was that after water was treated at Kigoro Treatment Works, there would be two valves, one taking the water to Nairobi and the other to the homes of Gatanga residents, and the President himself promised me that.

“The pipes in both Murang’a and Nairobi were to use the same path but those of Nairobi have already been buried and there is no sign that pipes for Gatanga will be laid. The project has to stop until the laying of pipes runs concurrently,” the furious MP said.

NDAKAINI DAM

He said that the same promise was made to his constituents during the construction of Ndakaini Dam, only for the government to dupe the locals who now live without water despite hosting the dam which supplies Nairobi.

While terming the situation unfair, Mr Ngugi said Nairobi people are being more favoured more than those of Murang’a, adding that it is unfortunate to see his constituents being side-lined despite their immense support for the government.

The controversial Sh6.8 billion tunnel is set to collect flood waters from rivers Irati, Mathioya and Gikigie, and aims to boost water from Ndakaini Dam which supplies the capital city.

The MP’s sentiments come amid Governor Mwangi Wa iria’s intense campaigns to impose a levy on Nairobi for the water sourced from Murang’a.

Mr Wa Iria has also vowed to initiate a referendum dubbed ‘Raslimali initiative’ aimed at establishing a policy on how counties with the natural resources will get a percentage of the revenue generated in order to avert inter-county wars.